24. Robert Burns

Against that sweeping backdrop of the New World emerges one of America's most beloved storytellers, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who, on the eve of the Civil War, looked back to the humble settlement at Plymouth in search of the virtues that could heal a divided nation. In this episode, we explore the remarkable story behind The Courtship of Miles Standish before experiencing Longfellow's unforgettable poem in his own words. Journey into the fragile pilgrim colony where friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and love are tested in the wilderness, and discover why this timeless tale still speaks to the questions we face today: How do we remain true to ourselves while honoring those around us? And how do the stories of the past help us become better people in the present?ILLUSTRATIONS:Wherever possible we used original illustrations by Mathew B. Brady (1823-1896) from an 1859 printing of the poem.22:23 "Miles Standish"41:55 "Lover's Errand"59:47 "John Alden"1:03:14 "The March of Miles Standish"1:09:07 "The Mayflower"1:20:27 "Priscilla"1:39:30 " Wedding Day"1:43:59 "Wedding Procession"-------------------------------------THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS, Part 1 & 2Season One, Episodes 17 & 18https://storybounders.com/pages/podcast (these episodes can also be found on Spotify, Apple, and Youtube)To help deepen your understanding and gain more context for this episode and future episodes, please listen to the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims.-------------------------------------DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY: "How to Build Your Story Reservoir"https://storybounders.com/pages/join-guideDiscover why the stories you love and believe in significantly shape your life—and how to choose them intentionally.-Learn what a story reservoir is-How stories shape your character and choices-How to recognize meaningful stories-Where to begin building your own story reservoir-------------------------------------TRAVELING is another way to gather stories into your reservoir. We suggest experiencing the following sites to enrich and deepen your connection with the story of the pilgrims.OUR TRAVEL DESTINATION SUGGESTION:-Plimoth Patuxet Museum (https://plimoth.org)-Mayflower II (part of the Plimoth Patuxet Museum experience)-Plymouth Rock (79 Water Street, Plymouth, MA, FREE)On the opposite side of Boston, just a few blocks away from Harvard Campus, is the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which is open for daily tours. Learn more about one of America's most celebrated authors by visiting:-Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters (https://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm)-------------------------------------VISIT OUR BOOKSHOPWe believe that everyone should have a private library—a visual and tactile representation of your story reservoir. Our bookshop curates beautiful editions (old and new) of beloved, classic stories that will surely be treasured keepsakes and aesthetic additions to your library. https://www.etsy.com/shop/Storybounders

Season 2: The Stories That Built America In this episode, we explore the extraordinary story of Christopher Columbus—a determined visionary who dared to sail on a journey most believed would lead to death and disaster. Rejected, mocked, and surrounded by doubt and fear, Columbus clung to the conviction that he knew where to point the boat. But this story is about far more than discovery. It’sabout courage, faith, opposition, and the difficult reality of human nature. Through triumph and trials, we examine the man who made the impossible a reality and changed the course of history.CREDITS:Quote explaining "presentism": huge thank you to Tom Fitzgerald on Instagram @tomfitzgerald_ "Helping you get into history properly without overthinking it"Music: premiumbeat.comSUGGESTED READING:A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Washington Irving (1828)********************************************************DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDE: "How to Build Your Story Reservoir"Discover why the stories you love and believe in significantly shape your life—and how to choose them intentionally.What a story reservoir isHow stories shape your character and choicesHow to recognize meaningful storiesWhere to begin building your ownDownload your free guide now!************************************************Visit our bookshop and find carefully curated books in beautiful bindings. Stories that will help you build a cherished and enduring private library—a tactile and visual reminder of your own story reservoir. https://www.etsy.com/shop/Storybounders

2026 Season: Stories That Built America In this episode, we witness a medieval kingdom unraveling under the rule of a desperate and distrustful King John, whose cruelty and abuse of power push his people to the breaking point. A band of barons rises—not in revolution, but to reclaim an ancient truth: that even a king must answer to the law. Their clash leads them to the quiet meadows of Runnymede, where a powerful document is forged, placing limits on authority. This remarkable moment in history becomes one of the earliest chapters in America’s origin story—an enduring legacy that continues to shape who we are today.CREDITS:Quote explaining “presentism”: Huge thank you to Tom Fitzgerald on Instagram @tomfitzgerald._ “Helping you get into history properly, without overthinking it”Music: "Stories and Fables", "About a Bird", "Scarlet Acrobat" (premiumbeat.com)SUGGESTIONS:If you’re new to the podcast, start with EPISODE 1: BUILDING YOUR STORY RESERVOIR (from Season One). We introduce the idea of a story reservoir—a personal collection of stories that you might not know you even had. We talk about why it’s so important to have a story reservoir and why we should be intentionally collecting stories.  It’s a great foundation for understanding what it means to love and believe in a story.Season One can be found on apple, spotify, or youtube, oron our website: https://storybounders.com/pages/podcast

In this special Halloween episode, we explore the life and legacy of America’s master of the gothic story, Edgar Allan Poe. From a troubled childhood to a literary career haunted by tragedy, Poe’s story is as compelling as the tales he wrote. We attempt to uncover the true story behind his life and examine the psychological genius of his work.Guest narrator, David Knight, delivers a chilling performance of "The Tell-Tale Heart," followed by a thoughtful debrief on the themes of madness, conscience, and imagination. It’s spooky season—Storybounders-style.READ BY: David KnightSOURCES: The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore (eapoe.org) "The Tragic Life of Edgar Allan Poe" (Biography on YouTube) "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

Loneliness is something many people quietly carry. Jayme and Steve take a closer look at what loneliness really means—not just being alone, but feeling unseen, unheard, or disconnected even in the middle of a crowd, and then they turn to an unexpected but deeply meaningful connection: the stories of author Gene Stratton-Porter.As the youngest of twelve on a bustling farm family, Gene grew up with plenty of solitude. But instead of crushing her spirit, her lonely hours in the Limberlost swamp gave her a deep love of nature and a way to belong. Through stories like Freckles, she showed how nature could heal wounds and reveal our truest identity. This episode invites listeners to see the Limberlost not just as a swamp, but as a place of spiritual awakening— where loneliness transforms into belonging, hope, and meaning.READ BY: Chelsea Frandsen BrownSOURCES: What is Causing Our Epidemic of Loneliness and How Can We Fix It? by Elizabeth M. Ross (Harvard Graduate School of Education)Gene Stratton Porter (Our Land, Our Literature, from Ball State University) Faith and Flourishing in Your Life and Work by Paul W. Lambert (BYU Speeches)Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter

What do Benjamin Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul Revere, and John-Boy Walton all share in common? They grew up in big families—and their stories suggest that large households can shape remarkable leaders and change the course of history. In this episode, we reflect on history, literature, and lived experience to ask whether strong, bustling families offer something our society is missing today. Listeners are invited into two timeless family stories: The Waltons, inspired by Earl Hamner Jr.’s Depression-era childhood, and Cheaper by the Dozen, the laugh-out-loud memoir of the Gilbreth clan. Both celebrate the chaos, cooperation, and love that make families—whether by blood or by choice—the foundation of resilience and joy. This episode is a tribute to the way family life, in all its forms, teaches tolerance and patience, shapes leaders, builds nations, and forges cherished relationships that are far more valuable than material success.SOURCES: My Parents Have 11 Children. Here’s Why I’m Grateful to Be Part of a Big Family by Theresa Olohan (USA Today)Could Larger Families Produce Better Leaders, as in the Early Days of the Nation by Michael Barone (Creators Syndicate)Family Unfriendly by Tim Carney The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake by David Brooks (The Atlantic) The Waltons (TV Series, available on Prime Video) Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth.Music credits: "The Waltons" theme song by Jerry Goldsmith, "The Waltons" theme song piano cover by calikokat08 on YouTube.

This episode features the swashbuckling hero of Baroness Orczy’s thrilling tale set against the violent chaos of the French Revolution, The Scarlet Pimpernel. Listen to the opening chapter of the novel and a discussion about what makes the Scarlet Pimpernel such an enduring hero—from his daring disguises and secret missions to his deep compassion and self-restraint. This episode invites listeners to think more deeply about the powerful role virtue plays in our modern lives. Guest Reader: CJ MadsenSources:The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness OrczyA Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution by Jeremy D. Popkin A Brief Biography of Baroness Orczy by Peter Royston.

After months of planning and hosting their immersive Celebrating Little Women event, Jayme and Steve return with a deeply personal look at the life and legacy of Louisa May Alcott. From her childhood in a famously dysfunctional household to her reluctant creation of Little Women, this episode uncovers the remarkable journey of an author who turned hardship into timeless storytelling. Along the way, you'll hear how Alcott’s real-life experiences—her difficult relationship with her father Bronson, the influence of literary giants like Emerson and Thoreau, and her fierce drive to support her family—shaped the March sisters and their world.Listeners will come away with a greater appreciation for Alcott’s brilliance and bravery, and the ordinary yet extraordinary moments that give Little Women its lasting power. READ BY: Jayme SmithSOURCES: Louisa May Alcott: A Personal Biography by Susan Cheever, The Journals of Louisa May Alcott edited by Joel Myerson, Daniel Shealy, and Madeleine B. Stern, and the 1994 film Little Women directed by Gillian Armstrong.

What kept George Washington’s soldiers fighting through freezing winters, crushing defeats, and overwhelming odds? Stories. In inspiring episode, Jayme and Steve explore how Washington used inspiring stories to rally his troops, unite a divided nation, and shape the destiny of America. Whether you’re a history lover or just fascinated by the power of words, this episode will remind you why the stories we believe in can change the world.SOURCES:"In the Hurricane’s Eye: The Genius of George Washington and the Victory at Yorktown" by Nathaniel Philbrick"Why is George Washington Such a Big Deal?" A Documentary by The American Story.

From a humble clay cottage to emerging as a celebrated cultural icon, Burns’s story is filled with passion, poetry, and the preservation of Scottish culture. Jayme and Steve tell the story of Burns's childhood, shaped by ancient oral tradition and the rhythms of rural life, inspiring some of his most famous works.Whether you’re a fan of poetry, history, or simply love a good tale, this episode is sure to transport you to an 18th-century Scottish tavern for an unforgettable celebration.Guest Reader:CJ MadsenSources:Poetryfoundation.org